The TVXQ Whom I Met In Las Vegas ~ “Kings Of Popularity In America?” We Are All National Representatives For K-Pop

Popular male group TVXQ crossed over to the birthplace of
popular culture, America, and gave the charms of K-Pop greater exposure.

On November 25 at 4:30 p.m. (local American time) at the press
conference for the “2011 Billboard K-POP Masters” held at the Conference
Room within MGM Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, America, TVXQ said, “We are
happy that we have an opportunity to be able to spread the influence of
K-Pop in the famous city of Las Vegas. Compared to seeing this place
merely as another particular performance venue known as America, we feel
blessed to be able to spread Korea’s culture here. With the heart that
we are all national representatives (of Korea and K-Pop), we will be
working very hard so we hope for lots of love and concern.”A local American reporter asked if TVXQ knew of the fact that
they are hugely popular in America. U-Know Yunho answered, “(Hearing
those words), I feel very shy. I think of it as being able to let
America know more about Korea’s culture to the extent of that
recognition. We’ll show our gratitude through tonight’s show.”

Regarding his thoughts about TVXQ taking part in this performance,
U-Know Yunho revealed, “Every group’s performance is so good that there
is nothing to find fault with. At the end, we’ll sing “Arirang”. Because
we wanted to share the atmosphere together with the audience, we
specially prepared this stage. It’ll be great if everybody shows their
feelings of enjoying the show through cheers and responses. We will
spend this day in an interesting fashion.”When asked if there are any American musicians whom they
would like to work together with, U-Know Yunho answered, “I’ve grown up
listening to music from a variety of singers. If I really had to pick
just one singer, it will be really difficult. If there is a good
opportunity which comes along, I would like to work together with them.
It’ll be great if we have opportunities to create even better albums.”

In a reflection of the K-Pop fever, famous local media reporters such
as Fox Channel, MTV, The Huffington Post graced the press conference on
this day with their presence. Questions asking about the stars’
feelings about the recent shift in the status and popularity of K-Pop
were forthcoming.

After the press conference, TVXQ appeared at the red carpet
event held outdoors dressed fully in formal suits. With the nerves built
up over the years with their world tours to America, France, Japan and
China etc, they showed off an impressive side of them in confidently
facing the loud cheers of the audience, fitting of their status as huge
stars. When TVXQ makes just one gesture, the audience goes wild.
Bonnie Wong (22), who have gone to watch their performances in LA
commented about K-Pop singers, “I feel that their singing and dancing
abilities have surpassed the standard of doing relatively well to
advance into the global arena, so it’s amazing. They are also very
charming, so I was even more attracted to them.”

Stacy Kay Gully (18), whom I met at the event, spoke very highly of
the strengths of K-Pop, “Even though I can’t understand the precise
meaning of the lyrics, I can still feel their depth and passion towards
music. Korean music strikes me first and foremost in the heart, not in
my ears.”

Riding on the K-Pop wave to arrive in Las Vegas, the “2011 Billboard
K-POP Masters” is a music festival hosted by Billboard Korea and MGM,
and sponsored by Korean Airlines. It is an event to commemorate the
launch of the Billboard K-Pop Charts on last August 26. Other than TVXQ,
SHINee, Brown Eyed Girls, BEAST, MBLAQ, G.Na, 4Minute and Sistar will
also perform at the concert. K-Pop will envelop Las Vegas on November 25
from 8 p.m. onwards for a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes. There will
be another performance for the “2011 Billboard K-POP Masters” at the
same venue in Las Vegas on November 26.